Fabri-Form celebrates its 60th anniversary

Published: October 2, 2003 8:00 PM

NEW CONCORD From astronaut John Glenn's helmet to more down-to-Earth items, the Fabri-Form Co. continues to manufacture a trove of high-quality, plastic products that lend it any number of descriptions: Leader, innovator, survivor.

Over the past four years, Fabri-Form also weathered some tough times, said Knight, chief executive officer of the company.

During an after-hours reception Thursday celebrating the company's 60th anniversary, Knight revealed the essence of how Fabri-Form survived.

"The people in this room deserve the credit for keeping the company going," he told the crowd of associates.

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"We have had some ups and downs," he said, "and it's no secret [the country is] emerging from a manufacturing crisis. A lot of people have sacrificed and stuck with us. It's the people who have held this business together."

It was a point he reiterated several times during a conversation later.

"We have always enjoyed loyal employees," he said. "In fact, all through our history, it has been one of our hallmarks that we focus on our people."

And, through the six decades since his father, the late Jack Knight, founded the company, the employees have reciprocated.

The company has embraced practices that enhance the strengths of that people-oriented approach.

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"We have a team management system," Knight said, "that we call 'Circles of responsibility.' It's a system that empowers workers. It makes this a better place to work."

Knight said business now is approaching pre-recession levels. In a global market, challenges remain.

With the development of a new business plan, however, Fabri-Form is poised to launch to higher levels of achievement.

In 1943, when the company was founded to help with the war effort, employees made hand-crafted bomber noses. Since then have come such items as clear tops for convertibles, tamper-proof taxi meter covers, refrigerator door liners, school storage trays and thermoformed transport packaging.

In addition to Knight and his father, his mother, Shirley, and A.J. Dragonette have served as CEO.

During the coming anniversary year, Fabri-Form will make note of other occasions in its early history.